As the Administration celebrates the first 100 days of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings sent the attached letter to Dr. Rowan Gould, Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), to request that the Department of the Interior provide greater transparency regarding FWS stimulus projects.

In his letter, Hastings notes that the FWS list only provides a location and dollar amount – but fails to explain what the money is being used for and how each project will create jobs.

EXCERPTS:

“Although each item on the list has a specific dollar amount, there is no explanation of what taxpayer dollars are specifically being used for and how each project will create jobs.

“For example, the list says that $1,762,000 in taxpayer money will be spent for the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida – but does not clearly explain the specific purpose of the money or how many jobs will be created.

“It appears as if information is being withheld – which directly contradicts President Obama’s direction that the Federal Government must prove to the American people ‘that their dollars are being invested in initiatives and strategies that make a difference in their communities and across the country.’

“Certainly, you will agree that the American people deserve more explanation than a location and a price tag.”

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